The West Wing
S3E21
· Posse Comitatus

Bartlet's Moral Capitulation: Authorizes Shareef Assassination

In the shadowed theater hallway during intermission, Leo corners President Bartlet, methodically eroding his resistance to assassinating Qumari Defense Minister Abdul Shareef. Leo counters Bartlet's legal plea for a trial (arguing Shareef's non-civilian status), political fears of discovery and war, and profound moral revulsion (joining 'ordinary nations') with victim lists, a monk's prayer on intent, and brutal pragmatism: 'Cause you won.' Bartlet, torn between principle and duty, pauses in agony before whispering 'Take him,' a reluctant turning point that stains his soul and escalates the crisis, as Leo dials the order without hesitation.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

8

Leo confronts Bartlet in the dark terrace hallway during intermission, pressing him to decide on Shareef's assassination.

tension to confrontation ['dark terrace hallway']

Bartlet argues for a trial, citing legal and moral objections, while Leo counters with the impossibility of trying Shareef.

defiance to frustration

Leo mentions Shareef's victims, attempting to sway Bartlet with emotional weight, but Bartlet remains conflicted.

appeal to resistance

Leo quotes a monk, appealing to Bartlet's faith, but Bartlet dismisses it as irrelevant to the decision at hand.

spiritual appeal to rejection

Bartlet expresses his moral objection, fearing the U.S. will become 'the league of ordinary nations,' but Leo counters with the necessity of action.

moral conflict to resignation

Leo delivers the final blow: 'Because you won,' forcing Bartlet to confront the brutal reality of his power.

pressure to decision

Bartlet, after a tense pause, gives the order: 'Take him,' sealing Shareef's fate.

hesitation to resolution

Leo immediately calls to execute the order, marking the irreversible step into moral ambiguity.

resolution to action

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Abdul Lebin Shareef
primary

N/A (referenced entity)

Shareef is invoked repeatedly as the central target, with his non-civilian status debated, victims listed for emotional leverage, and assassination explicitly authorized, positioning him as the fulcrum of the moral crisis without physical presence.

Goals in this moment
  • • N/A (referenced entity)
Active beliefs
  • • N/A (referenced entity)
Character traits
ruthless elusive
Follow Abdul Lebin …'s journey
Abigail Bartlet
primary

Profound internal agony clashing with resigned duty, surface composure cracking under moral weight.

Bartlet peers downstairs in the corner, engages in hushed debate voicing legal (trials), political (discovery and war with Qumar), and moral objections ('It's just wrong'), pauses in visible torment before halting mid-stride to whisper reluctant authorization 'Take him' to Leo, then walks away silently.

Goals in this moment
  • • Resist authorizing assassination on ethical grounds
  • • Fulfill presidential responsibility despite personal revulsion
Active beliefs
  • • Assassination equates America with 'ordinary nations' and is morally wrong
  • • Duty as elected leader ('Cause you won') compels action against evil
Character traits
principled conflicted dutiful agonized
Follow Abigail Bartlet's journey
Leo McGarry
primary

Determined resolve tempered by underlying unease, masked by authoritative calm.

Leo strides purposefully along the dark hallway, corners Bartlet, delivers methodical counterarguments on Shareef's non-civilian status, offers victim lists and monk's prayer for moral leverage, presses with unyielding pragmatism ('Cause you won'), then immediately grabs his cell phone to dial the assassination order post-authorization.

Goals in this moment
  • • Secure Bartlet's authorization for Shareef's assassination
  • • Override moral and legal objections to enable the operation
Active beliefs
  • • Presidential victory imposes the duty to make hard calls like targeted killing
  • • Shareef's non-civilian status and victim toll justify extrajudicial action
Character traits
pragmatic relentless loyal steely
Follow Leo McGarry's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Theater Hallway

The dark terrace hallway serves as a clandestine intermission nook where Leo intercepts the peering Bartlet for a pivotal, whispered confrontation over assassination, its shadows amplifying secrecy and isolation as distant 'Hallelujah' swells contrast the grim decision, enabling unchecked moral erosion amid public obliviousness.

Atmosphere Dimly lit, tense with hushed urgency and echoing play music, fostering moral claustrophobia.
Function Private venue for high-stakes executive deliberation during theater break.
Symbolism Embodies shadowed ethical crossroads between idealism and realpolitik.
Access Semi-public corridor limited by intermission timing and executive proximity.
Dark terrace shadows Quiet intermission with distant 'Hallelujah' chorus Small flight of stairs nearby for peering vantage

Organizations Involved

Institutional presence and influence

1
Sultanate of Qumar

Qumar looms as the dire consequence of assassination exposure, invoked by Bartlet as the nation sparking reelection-jeopardizing war if U.S. involvement in Shareef's death is uncovered, heightening stakes and underscoring the operation's geopolitical peril within the debate.

Representation Through ministerial figurehead Shareef and national threat narrative.
Power Dynamics Positioned as adversarial state wielding terror proxy power, challenging U.S. via discovery risk.
Impact Highlights fragile U.S.-ally tensions, where covert action risks broader conflict.
Protect regime via Shareef's leadership and terror funding Evade accountability for attacks through deniability Threat of escalated war post-assassination Arms dependency and diplomatic ties pressuring U.S. restraint

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 4
Character Continuity

"Bartlet's initial discomfort with Fitzwallace's assassination plan contrasts with his eventual decision to authorize it, showcasing his moral conflict."

Leo Confronts Fitzwallace Over Deliberate Shareef Meeting
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus
Character Continuity

"Bartlet's initial discomfort with Fitzwallace's assassination plan contrasts with his eventual decision to authorize it, showcasing his moral conflict."

Situation Room: Assassination Plan Briefing and Moral Reckoning
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus
Character Continuity

"Bartlet's initial discomfort with Fitzwallace's assassination plan contrasts with his eventual decision to authorize it, showcasing his moral conflict."

Bartlet's Visceral Rejection of the Recorder Pen
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus
Thematic Parallel

"Bartlet's therapy session about a hypothetical crime thematically parallels his real-world decision to authorize Shareef's assassination."

Bartlet Probes Therapist on Moral Crimes, Hints at Assassination
S3E21 · Posse Comitatus

Part of Larger Arcs

President Bartlet's profound internal moral torment over authorizing the covert assassination of Abdul Shareef, clashing duty against ethical revulsion amid legal barriers like Posse Comitatus and executive orders.

Key Dialogue

"BARTLET: "Civilians get trials." LEO: "I'd argue he's not a civilian. So would the Attorney General.""
"BARTLET: "Doesn't this mean we join the league of ordinary nations?" LEO: "That's your objection? I'm not gonna have trouble saying the Pledge of Allegiance tomorrow.""
"LEO: "I know, but you have to do it anyway." BARTLET: "Why?" LEO: "Cause you won." BARTLET: "Take him.""